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Martin Sketchley

@eltexperiences

Assistant Professor at Woosong University and SolBridge College in South Korea YouTube Creator: www.youtube.com/@eltexperiences

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19.11.2024
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Latest posts by Martin Sketchley @eltexperiences

How To Diversify Your Income After Preply One of my previous posts I shared was more a current review about Preply as a platform and the growing concerns that I had regarding the reduced number of bookings that I had over the past number of months. However, since that honest and candid review, I received quite a lot of feedback from other tutors on the platform sharing their experiences which were rather similar in this regard.

What does diversifying your income after Preply look like? What could you actively do to develop yourself as an indepedent online teacher? In this post, I share some of my thoughts and recent reflections which answers these questions.

22.02.2026 09:43 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
A Practical Guide to Charging Online Students One of the biggest struggles facing online tutors and teachers is knowing how much you should charge potential online students. Tutors will first need to establish what services they are offering online students before deciding how much their hourly rate is to be. In this blog post, I will share some key points that you need to consider when charging students and how best to get paid for the online lessons that you are offering potential online learners.

A Practical Guide to Charging Online Students

One of the biggest struggles facing online tutors and teachers is knowing how much you should charge potential online students. Tutors will first need to establish what services they are offering online students before deciding how much their hourly…

02.02.2026 03:18 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Thanks for your comment. I had to Google that term ‘enshittification’ but I agree. So many questions I have but so far not much answered by Preply. They also don’t publish their company accounts.

28.01.2026 07:07 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
An Honest Review of Preply for New Tutors For the past 5 years, I have been teaching on Preply and they market themselves as the leading market place which connect online language learners with potential online language tutors. However, I would like to share my experiences and offer an honest review of Preply for current and prospective tutors. In this post, I will draw upon personal experiences and provide some more information about why I consider Preply is now placing profit above their tutors and students as well as the worrying trend that there are not as many paying students that has been claimed.

I have taught on the Preply platform for 5 years but I have some worrying concerns about the platform. Grab a cup of tea as this is a long read where I share my personal experiences on Preply and highlight some trends that question their perceived success.

28.01.2026 04:48 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
Going Back to Basics in the Classroom I have just finished a two-week intensive English course with Korean high school students that were to help them prepare for their academic studies at university. It was so nice to teach pre-intermediate to intermediate English learners as most of my students are high level. However, what I have noticed with young adult learners is the over reliance of technology and to have everything automatically translated or generated by Artificial Intelligence.

I just finished a two-week intensive English course with Korean high school students and these are my thoughts regarding the over reliance of technology in the classroom for both teachers as well as learners.

25.01.2026 09:35 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Why I’m Finally Upgrading My Sony ZV-1 in 2026 I first purchased the Sony ZV-1, along with the Sony Handgrip, in July 2020 during the height of the pandemic with the aim of creating more dedicated video content for English teachers. This camera has helped me create around 120 videos on YouTube and I have also taken quite a lot of photos, yet I reach a stumbling block with the…

After 5 years with the Sony camera, it is time to upgrade my camera. Read on to find out more about my experience of the Sony ZV-1.

18.01.2026 02:46 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Day 4: Which Platform Should You Use for Online Teaching
Day 4: Which Platform Should You Use for Online Teaching YouTube video by ELT Experiences

Day 4: Which Platform Should You Use for Online Teaching

In today’s video I look at the different platforms that you could use to connect with your potential students.

It’s rather short but enjoy!

youtu.be/lII4C9prKI4

08.01.2026 10:34 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Day 1: Setting Up an Online Teacher Profile
Day 1: Setting Up an Online Teacher Profile YouTube video by ELT Experiences

Day 1:
Over the next 90 days, I will be sharing a video every single day about establishing your very own independent online teaching business, with tips and tricks.

Today is the very first video where I share the steps necessary to set up your online teacher profile.

Enjoy!

youtu.be/SNfwr1YG8fE

05.01.2026 09:22 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Five Personal Aims for the New Year In my previous post, I looked at what I had achieved over 2025. It was a rather long read, but in this post I am sharing five personal aims for the New Year. Obviously, most people tend to share the usual resolutions: stop smoking, improve their health, change their career. However, I am keeping my resolutions more grounded, but let's start now.

In my previous post, I shared about my reflections for 2025. However, in this post, I am sharing five personal plans for 2026.

22.12.2025 07:20 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
A Review of the Year - ELT Experiences As it edges towards the end of another year here in South Korea, it is always a good opportunity to review 2025. As with everybody I suppose, much has happened this year personally and I have really n...

Here is the obligatory reflection of 2025, with things achieved during the year, experiences, as well as travels. It is a long read and good luck to anyone who reaches the end as it took a few days to finish.

eltexperiences.com/a-review-of-...

21.12.2025 15:08 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
How To Teach Pronunciation with Preply Students
How To Teach Pronunciation with Preply Students YouTube video by ELT Experiences

Here is the latest video where I spent much time working on the subtitles. Enjoy.

How To Teach Pronunciation with Preply Students
youtu.be/GyNJOKb5Pjw

13.12.2025 00:34 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Post image

I really enjoy editing video content, as you learn something new each time. This time, I decided to focus on subtitles for my video and with each speaker which would be identifiable from the subtitle colour.

#YouTube #VideoEditing #ContentCreator

12.12.2025 08:27 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
The Challenge of AI and Teaching Writing Skills - ELT Experiences In this post I share personal challenges that I have encountered with the use of AI and the teaching of writing skills with international students.

Some challenges that I have encountered over the past 2 years, during the teaching of academic writing courses with international students, revolve around the misuse of AI generated work.

eltexperiences.com/the-challeng...

18.11.2025 08:03 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
How To Teach an Advanced English Learner Online
How To Teach an Advanced English Learner Online YouTube video by ELT Experiences

How To Teach an Advanced English Learner Online

My latest video where I share how I go about teaching an advanced English learner online. Enjoy the video and, yes, my cat makes an appearance. 🐱

youtu.be/110jDD1_pb4

04.11.2025 01:05 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Preview
Story Cubes: Creative Writing Tasks Boost creativity in your classroom with three ready-to-use Rory’s Story Cubes templates. Perfect for ESL/EFL teachers, these printable writing activities include a guided story frame, a collaborative class story, and an open creative writing template. Editable Word documents for instant use in lessons.

Story Cubes: Creative Writing Tasks

Boost creativity in your classroom with three ready-to-use Rory’s Story Cubes templates. Perfect for ESL/EFL teachers, these printable writing activities include a guided story frame, a collaborative class story, and an open creative writing template. Editable…

08.09.2025 07:58 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Preview
25-Minute Trial Lesson PowerPoint for Online English Teachers This ready-to-use 25-minute trial lesson PowerPoint is designed for online English teachers who want to make a great first impression with potential students.

25-Minute Trial Lesson PowerPoint for Online English Teachers

This ready-to-use 25-minute trial lesson PowerPoint is designed for online English teachers who want to make a great first impression with potential students.

28.08.2025 06:01 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Five Ways to Incorporate Newspapers in the Classroom Recently, I was thinking about ways to use newspaper articles in the language classroom and it reminded me of suggestions that I came across during the period of my MA studies many years ago. With the growing reliance on digital articles and webpages, it is sometimes nice to go back to basics without any smartphones, automatic translation, or AI summarising tools.

Five Ways to Incorporate Newspapers in the Classroom

Recently, I was thinking about ways to use newspaper articles in the language classroom and it reminded me of suggestions that I came across during the period of my MA studies many years ago. With the growing reliance on digital articles and…

20.08.2025 09:30 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Newspaper Headlines (B1+) This is a one off lesson for Intermediate students or above that will introduce learners to newspaper headlines. This lesson includes the worksheet for students as well as the teacher notes. The Newspaper Headlines activity is to give students the confidence to tackle potential newspaper articles in their second language.

Newspaper Headlines (B1+)

This is a one off lesson for Intermediate students or above that will introduce learners to newspaper headlines. This lesson includes the worksheet for students as well as the teacher notes. The Newspaper Headlines activity is to give students the confidence to tackle…

20.08.2025 09:15 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
How To Prepare a 25 Minute Online Trial Lesson In our previous post, we looked at how best to create an online teacher introduction video but the next step to potentially getting students is to prepare and deliver a quality trial lesson. It is important for potential learners to get a taste of your online teaching. In this post, I will share how to prepare a 25 minute online demo lesson to students.

If you wish to deliver a successful 25 minute online trial lesson, it is crucial that you prepare effectively. Read on further to see how I structure my own trial lessons now.

16.08.2025 07:46 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
How to Use Newspapers in Online and Offline Classes | Free Lesson Plan for Channel Members
How to Use Newspapers in Online and Offline Classes | Free Lesson Plan for Channel Members YouTube video by ELT Experiences

If you have ever wanted to incorporate newspapers into your English lessons but unsure how, I share five lesson activities which you can incorporate into your online of offline classes immediately.

youtu.be/-9AkZIWnI-s

03.08.2025 12:59 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
25-Minute Trial Lesson Template for Online English Teachers (Free Slides for Channel Members)
25-Minute Trial Lesson Template for Online English Teachers (Free Slides for Channel Members) YouTube video by ELT Experiences

25-Minute Trial Lesson Template for Online English Teachers (Free Slides for Channel Members)

youtu.be/U366GIQWwAo

28.07.2025 15:18 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Complete Guide to Creating an Online Teacher Introduction Video For anyone who is wanting to teach English online, whether you are going to be teaching independently or for a platform, you will be required to create an introduction video. It can sometimes be a little overwhelming if you are unsure how best to create one, but in this post I will share the ultimate guide to creating an online teacher introduction video.

Complete Guide to Creating an Online Teacher Introduction Video

For anyone who is wanting to teach English online, whether you are going to be teaching independently or for a platform, you will be required to create an introduction video. It can sometimes be a little overwhelming if you are unsure…

22.07.2025 11:29 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Which one is which? 😃

16.07.2025 14:31 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Twenty Influential English Teacher Websites to Watch in 2025 Teaching English can be a thoroughly rewarding experience, which is why I have been involved in this profession for quite a while now. It obviously becomes natural for any professional educators to share websites that have guided their teaching and as I approach my 20th anniversary teaching English to international students, it seems fitting to share twenty influential English teacher websites to access in 2025.

Teaching English can be a thoroughly rewarding experience, which is why I have been involved in this profession for quite a while now. As I approach my 20th anniversary teaching English, it seems fitting to share 20 English teaching websites.

16.07.2025 14:24 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
The Ultimate Online Teaching Setup: Top Tools & Tech for Educators The COVID-19 pandemic suddenly changed the teaching landscape, with many educators being forced to deliver lessons and courses online. To be honest, I cannot believe it was over five years ago since the pandemic. As many educators were forced to become accustomed to online teaching, despite their lack of experience, remote online education has gained recognition as a credible and respected alternative to face-to-face teaching.

Many teachers deliver online lessons and it is important to have the right tech and this guide looks at the ultimate online teaching set-up with the right tech.

09.07.2025 16:13 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Ten Essential Books All New English Teachers Need What ten books do you think are essential for English language teachers? Read on to find out! When I first started teaching English in South Korea, back in 2005, I was unaware of teaching material. It was during a period when teaching in South Korea required the use of an undergraduate degree in any subject, a passport from a choice of English speaking countries (dictated no less by the Ministry of Education and the Korean authorities), and a passion to educate.

What do you think are essential teacher books that all teachers need? In this post, I share ten publications for English language teachers.

07.07.2025 19:22 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
TEC - The Summer 2025 Issue Now Online | KoreaTESOL

I'm happy to see that More Than a Gap Year Adventure has been reviewed in another publication. You can find the review written by Christopher Miller (plus a short interview with
@eltexperiences.bsky.social
) in the latest issue of 'The English Connection'.

koreatesol.org/content/tec-...

04.07.2025 19:02 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
Video thumbnail

Are you British or American English?

18.05.2025 00:12 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Is Teaching on Preply Worth It in 2025? | Honest Tutor Review + Step-by-Step Guide
Is Teaching on Preply Worth It in 2025? | Honest Tutor Review + Step-by-Step Guide YouTube video by ELT Experiences

Is Teaching on Preply Worth It in 2025? | Honest Tutor Review + Step-by-Step Guide

I’ve a new video out now where I consider whether Preply is ideal as a platform after four years of teaching on it.

youtu.be/pXH_Ivrz2Qg

25.04.2025 21:30 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
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I was returning home yesterday afternoon and was greeted to much waving and bowing. It’s the local elections here in Daejeon, and perhaps Korea. Quite unique and unlike anything I’ve seen in the U.K.

01.04.2025 22:47 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0